Project description
MRI as a tool for virtual biopsy in obesity
Visceral, or abdominal, adiposity and adipocyte hypertrophy are phenotypes strongly linked to metabolic dysfunction in obese individuals. Visceral adiposity can be non-invasively measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, adipocyte size measurements are currently only feasible using highly invasive biopsy procedures that cause severe patient discomfort, hold a risk for complications and are therefore rarely performed. The EU-funded FatVirtualBiopsy project will translate the lipid droplet size measurement approaches previously developed by the project team into an effective and reproducible method for non-invasive in vivo human adipocyte size measurement. The project will result in a non-invasive imaging toolkit that can be integrated into clinical practice to prevent obesity-induced diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Objective
In 2015, four million people worldwide died because of the aftermaths of obesity (7% of total deaths), and in 2030, half of humankind is expected to be overweight. Lifestyle interventions in subjects with obesity can prevent the development of obesity-induced metabolic dysfunction but need personalization in order to become effective for diabetes and cardiovascular disease prevention. Visceral adiposity and adipocyte hypertrophy are phenotypes strongly linked to metabolic dysfunction in subjects with obesity. Visceral adiposity can be non-invasively measured using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Adipocyte size measurements are however nowadays only feasible using highly invasive biopsy procedures that cause severe patient discomfort, hold a risk for complications and are therefore rarely performed in the personalization of lifestyle interventions. The ongoing ProFatMRI research program (ERC-StG 677661) focuses on the development of an MRI platform to non-invasively assess fat microstructure. In the present proof of concept (PoC) project, we will translate the lipid droplet size measurement approaches successfully developed within ProFatMRI into an effective and reproducible toolkit (FatVirtualBiopsy) for non-invasive in vivo human adipocyte size measurement. The present PoC project encompasses the evaluation and the technical adjustment of the adipocyte size measurement in the real-life scenario involving a lifestyle intervention in subjects with obesity, the development of a prototype and the adoption of an intellectual property strategy. The PoC project will result in a non-invasive imaging toolkit that can be integrated into clinical prevention, targeting a wide range of medical specialists involved in obesity treatment. FatVirtualBiopsy will therefore contribute to transform the personalization of lifestyle interventions and drastically improve their effectiveness in subjects with obesity towards diabetes and cardiovascular disease prevention.
Fields of science
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineendocrinologydiabetes
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculeslipids
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicinecardiologycardiovascular diseases
- engineering and technologymedical engineeringdiagnostic imagingmagnetic resonance imaging
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencesnutritionobesity
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
ERC-POC-LS - ERC Proof of Concept Lump Sum PilotHost institution
81675 Muenchen
Germany